EA Releases New Sims Game: The Sims Labs: Town Stories, Not Sims 5!

If you’ve been eagerly anticipating The Sims 5, there’s a new project in the Sims universe that might catch your attention—and it could be revealed to the public sooner than you think. For those in Australia, the opportunity to experience it is already here, albeit in an early form. This isn’t a finished release just yet; it's currently in the playtest stage.

Introducing The Sims Labs: Town Stories, the latest addition to the iconic Sims franchise. While it may not be the next full-fledged installment fans are hoping for, it represents an exciting direction from EA through its broader Sims Labs initiative launched last August. The goal? To serve as a creative testing ground for innovative gameplay mechanics and features that could shape the future of the series.

Available as a mobile simulation game, Town Stories has already made an appearance on Google Play—though it’s not open for general download at this time. Interested players must register via EA’s official Sims Labs website to participate in the test. And for now, access remains limited to Australian users only.

What’s New With The Sims Labs Mobile Experience?

As soon as details surfaced online, players began sharing their thoughts—many of which were critical. On platforms like Reddit, some expressed disappointment with the current visual quality and overall aesthetics, suggesting concerns that Town Stories might lean too heavily into a free-to-play model loaded with microtransactions.

Still, the core gameplay appears familiar: a blend of neighborhood-building and character-driven narratives reminiscent of earlier Sims titles. In Town Stories, you’ll design your ideal town, assist Sims with personal quests, advance their careers, and discover hidden secrets within the fictional town of Plumbrook.

Based on leaked footage and screenshots shared by content creators, the game doesn't appear to stray far from established Sims mechanics. However, given its role as a prototype within EA’s experimental lab, it’s likely these early builds will evolve significantly over time.

Curious about what’s next for the Sims universe? If you're located in Australia, head over to the Google Play Store and see what The Sims Labs: Town Stories has to offer. And don’t forget to check out our coverage on [ttpp], where we dive into Shop Titans’ Halloween Celebration filled with spooky surprises and exclusive rewards.